Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Getting ready for my class tomorrow, my collage is ready for transfers. Birds. The theme that I gave to class this time is "the power of words" and everyone was to choose a quote or a verse from a poem that inspires them. I chose a poem by Longfellow and now I will continue on.....

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Today is "birthday cake" day for a special little one, new to our family. Two years old! A busy time for all, so I am in charge of baking the cupcakes. You know, I love to bake cupcakes!

Some chocolate. My Mom's best chocolate cupcake recipe.

And a new recipe for vanilla cupcakes. "The Ultimate Vanilla Cupcake". Hope it's good!

Oh, and speaking of recipes...hubby bought a "bargain" at Bed, Bath & Beyond called "SliceOMatic" in a "bargain bin" for $9.99. It's one of those "seen on TV" items. Sometimes he is my prep chef and always is afraid of cutting himself on the mandoline. I thought, "oh boy - another gadget". Along with it comes a nice little cookbook and so thought I'd try one last night. Took him a few minutes to figure out the machine but he got it and hey! it works pretty good. It has a handle that you press down to slice or julienne and a container that catches it, so your fingers are not near the blade. The recipe I made is "Roasted Stuffed Sweet Onions" and it was rich but oh so delicious! Large sweet onions, Baby Bella mushrooms, garlic cloves, zucchini, walnuts, fresh parsley (from a pot on my deck), fresh thyme (from a pot on my deck), Mascarpone cheese, and Marsala wine. Oh my gosh.....

Saturday, September 22, 2012

My friend, Sue, bought me a surprise gift; a real treasure. A beautiful caterpillar... oh sorry, millipede (he didn't want to introduce himself that way until they got to know him) and he fits right in with my critter collection. They were so happy to welcome him!

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Yesterday was Calligraphy Class and I wanted to surprise Marge and get some homework done to bring in. My very thoughtful neighbor gave me a beautiful poetry book by Mary Oliver called "Red Bird". In it is this poem that I love called "Invitation" . It's one that is also inspiring me for a collage. So...I lettered a portion of the poem. I also have this photograph that I took in Door County that I felt would be a nice companion to the poem. I lightened my photograph when I printed it and then scanned my lettering on it. Maybe i will do some of my own poetry this way and make a little chap book.

Invitation

Oh do you have time
to linger
for just a little while
out of your busy

and very important day
for the goldfinches
that have gathered
in a field of thistles

for a musical battle,
to see who can sing
the highest note,
or the lowest,

or the most expressive of mirth,
or the most tender?
Their strong, blunt beaks
drink the air

as they strive
melodiously
not for your sake
and not for mine

and not for the sake of winning
but for sheer delight and gratitude -
believe us, they say,
it is a serious thing

just to be alive
on this fresh morning
in this broken world.
I beg of you,

do not walk by
without pausing
to attend to this
rather ridiculous performance.

It could mean something.
It could mean everything.
It could be what Rilke meant, when he wrote:You must change your life.Mary Oliver

Thursday, September 6, 2012

After doing some paper staining and time was running short, I gave everyone a fun little exercise to end the day and get everyone warmed up for collage. I asked them to go through a couple of magazines and look for colors, words, and imagery that catches their eye; things that relate to one another. Then they were to make two little 3x5 collages on card stock.

The room was soon quiet and everyone was busy searching and thinking.

Meanwhile, their stained papers were drying and would be ready to go home.

About Me

My love of nature and love of paper have influenced my love of drawing, painting and making things for as long as I can remember. For me, there is excitement in the visual pleasure I get from copying the beauty of nature. The colors. The gentleness. With my artwork, I seek to inspire and enlighten the viewer.